Police are searching for two men who broke into a west end apartment Thursday armed with air pistols and robbed a 21-year-old man at gunpoint.

State College police said the armed robbery, which happened at 6:48 p.m. on the 400 block of West College Avenue, apparently was drug related.

Two white men wearing ski masks entered the apartment and forced one man to the ground. They stole $25 and a cellphone.

During the robbery, the resident grabbed for one of the pistols. The weapon discharged and the man realized the gun was an air pistol. The other suspect then struck the man and the two robbers fled, according to police.

The resident chased the two out into the street and instructed his roommate to call police.

Police said they determined the robbery was drug-related and said that charges are pending against the resident who was robbed.

The two robbery suspects have not been identified. They are described as white men wearing blue jeans, hooded sweatshirts and ski masks. Anyone with information can contact State College police.